Kiwi Winners Bowled Over By North East England

Kiwi Winners Bowled Over By North East England

Tauranga residents Bruce and Frances Ardern are enjoying a trip of a lifetime in North East England, thanks to regional development agency One NorthEast.

The couple won an eight night stay in North East England as part of a joint competition between One NorthEast and TV One's Breakfast programme.

As part of the prize the Black Cap fanatics won tickets to see their heroes in action at the Riverside ground, Chester-le-Street on Sunday.

And although the result didn’t go their way the couple said the “Barmy Army” made them feel welcome and the atmosphere at the County Durham ground was “amazing.”

Bruce, 66, said: “We had never been to the UK and are huge fans of the Black Caps so when we saw this competition it was too good to pass up.”

To win the couple had to watch Breakfast TV all week and listen out for the names of five North East England attractions and submit their answers online. They were picked out of more than 4,000 correct entrants.

Frances, also 66, said: “We were absolutely over the moon when we found out we had won.

“The atmosphere at the cricket game was amazing and when people found out we were Kiwis they were so friendly.”

Their prize also included complimentary tickets to a number of attractions including Beamish and The Alnwick Garden, overnight accommodation at some of the region’s leading hotels, Slaley Hall Hotel, Beamish Hall Hotel and Jesmond Dene House and car hire.

Knowing very little about North East England before they arrived the couple said they have “thoroughly enjoyed their stay” and have been particularly impressed with the region’s wealth of history and heritage.
Frances said: “When you’re driving around North East England it’s like being in an episode of Pride and Prejudice.

“The history of the region, the beautiful buildings, we don’t have anything like that in New Zealand. And the people here have been so friendly, we have had a wonderful time and want to thank One NorthEast for everything.”

This is the third viewer competition One NorthEast has run with media in Australia and New Zealand as part of a major marketing and PR campaign, which launched on the back of the daily Emirates flight from Dubai to Newcastle International Airport.

Tania Robinson, head of marketing at One NorthEast said: “I’m delighted Bruce and Frances are having such a great time in the region and I am sure they will now go back home and tell all their friends what an amazing place this is to visit.

“Competitions such as this one are a fantastic way of telling potential visitors from Australia and New Zealand what is offer in the region.

“We have seen some fantastic results from our previous competitions and now have a database of people from those countries who are keen to holiday in North East England or find out more about the region.”

ENDS

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